January 5Th we went for a hike in the white tank mountains. We decided on the waterfall trail due to the ease for Reed. I really wanted to watch him climb around on the boulders back near the waterfall. Reed started out on my back in the backpack carrier. I was glad that the trail is only 1.6 miles. Barbi and I snapped a few photos as we walked and the weather couldn't have been better. I let Reed down when we arrived at the waterfall and he went straight to the pool of water. I think he tossed about 100 rocks into that cold pool of water. His hands were freezing from picking up the rocks at the edge of the pool. He then climbed on the boulders only falling once when he tried to jump off one of them. We sat to eat some trail mix and hydrate. Reed was having a great time dancing for other hikers while he ate raisins. We made our way back to the car for the short drive back home. A great hike in the great Arizona weather. God Bless you all.

Randy

January 4Th the three of us headed to the phoenix zoo for zoo lights. When we arrived in the parking lot we were immediately greeted by a woman that was definitely alive during the time of the dinosaurs. She asked me if I would like free tickets to zoo lights and of course I accepted them. We loaded the stroller with Reed, snacks, drinks, and a rifle, because you never know when a hunting opportunity may arise. Animals do escape! We went straight to the person that takes the tickets and were then told that our gracious granny had given us tickets that were already used! EMBARASSING! Barbi made her way back to the ticket booth to purchase the tickets and I hid behind Reed like it was all his fault. The rest of the evening was uneventful. The lights were fantastic. Some were timed to music, but most were just displayed on trees and bushes. There were zoo animal shapes and non zoo animal shapes. We let Reed run wild like the monkey he is. He ran around hootin and hollerin and we heard people remark that there was a monkey loose. He is such a happy little kid. God blessed Barbi and I with the best little boy anyone could ask for. On the ride home Barbi and I expected Reed to fall asleep, but he couldn't stop talking about all the fun stuff he saw and did. The weather was perfect with a slight chill in the air. What a great time with the family.

Randy